SOCCERVOICE.COM, 26.11.2009
The black pioneers, people that made football more than results, money and table positions

They all entered English football in the 60's and came from foreign countries, with specific skills or character that made them pioneers in their own way
 

Clyde Best was a footballer from Bermuda. Best moved to Upton Park in 1968. He scored 47 goals in 186 games during his 8 years spell at West Ham.

He is described as one of the first black players to play in English football after the 2nd world war. Clyde Best made his international debut for Bermuda at the age of 15.

South African born Albert Johanneson is not mentioned much in the history of Leeds United's great era under Don Revie.

Johanneson played 172 league games and scored 48 goals from 1961 to 1970. He was a swift left winger with a great vision for the game.

Johanneson is known as the first black player to ever play in a FA Cup final. He played for Leeds against Liverpool in the 1965 final.

Johanneson will for always be the first black player to appear in a FA Cup final, but his South African team mate, Gerry Francis, was the first to appear for Leeds United.

Francis played for Leeds from 1957 to 1961, and made 46 appearances and scored 9 goals while at Elland Road.

Michael Trebilcock was born in England and is known for his time with Plymouth, Everton and Portsmouth. Trebilcock is described as the first black player to have scored in a FA Cup final.

Trebilcock was the big surprise in the Everton line-up. He was not even listed in the match programme. The 1966 cup final will always be remembered for Trebilcock's two fantastic goals that helped Everton to win 3-2 against Sheffield Wednesday.

Trebilcock only appeared in 11 league games for Everton during a three year spell at Goodison Park. He later played more than 100 games for Portsmouth.

These players were in a way pioneers, but the big impact of black players came almost 10 years later, with Viv Anderson and Laurie Cunningham leading the way.

Things have changed over the years, but these men playing in the English game in the 60's could have been more important than we have given them credit for.